Machine for making and applying plastic gaskets



April A 5, 1938. l G. Go'EBr-:L 2,113,111

MACHINE FOR MAKING AND .LPPLYING PLASTIC GASKETS Filed Ap-Iil l2, 1935 4k Sheets-Sheet l m1111111. Illllll||Illlllllllmmlllllillllll April 5, 1938. G. coEBr-:L 2,113,111

- i MACHINBFOH MAKING AND APPLYING PLASTIC GAsKETs Filed April 12, 1935 4 sheets-sheet 2 AMM/ G. GOEBEL 2,113,111

MACHINE FOR MAKING AND APPLYING PLASTIC GASKETS April 5, 1938.

- Filed April 12, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 v vll/llW/l//l/l//q/h/Allll/MI-l-/m .x1 M kg e @MW/ www R. MMM. NN- www W N um M @N wi! l Mm l Q mf wm y w. Nm. I www O m.MNHNWMHHHHHHMWNHHHMHWWHHHMH WW l//A/ mw 1 wm NM QN W 1m April5,193s. 4 G G'OEBEL 2,113,111-

MACHINE FOR MAKING AND APPLYING PLASTIC GASKETS Fjled April l2, 1935 v 4 SheebS-Shet 4 Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNITED. STATES MACHINE FOR. MAKING AND APPLYIG.

PLASTIC GASKETS George Goebel, Baltimore, Md., assgnor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporationof New York Application April 12, 1935, serial No'. 16,083

17 Claims. (Cl. 113-80) The present invention relates to a gasket or seal forming and applying machine and more particularly to improved means for releasably maintaining a strand of sealing or gasket material rmly against a feeding member and a forming member at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine.

In the patent to Parks, No. 1,899,524, filed February 28, 1933, there is described a method of forming a gasket or similar article which involves the feeding of a strand lengthwise, and the windlng of the same about a mandrel to substantially the coniiguration desired. Thereafter the preformed gasket is severed and automatically applied to the article, such as a closure in which it is to be used. The .present invention relates to a machine for practicing such a method, and has, as a particular object, the provision ofa machine which is an improvement upon the 0 machine disclosed in the'patent to Parks, Reissue No. 19,460, February 12, 1935. In the last mentioned patent, there is disclosed an apparatus for practicing this method. This apparatus includes movable technical means in the form of clamping members or fingers to hold the strand of material at predetermined intervals during the feeding and shaping operations. I have found that such mechanical means not only necessitates the use of a number of additional complicated parts, which increase the constructing and operating costs of the machine, but also require constant observation to see that these parts are immediately replaced or repaired when they become defective.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simplified construction which eliminates a. number of the mechanical parts which are used in a machine of the character described in the aforesaid Reissue patent of Parks, No. 19,460, February 12, 1935, preferably by utilizing, to a large extent, pneumatic means for intermittently holding the strand during the forming and applying operation. This pneumatic means preferably takes the form of a suction, which may be disf posed within the mandrel or device upon which the strand is formed, the suction being intermittently applied and released by automatic mechanism.

In order to simplify and improve the emciency of machines for forming gaskets and the like, I associate with the feeding and forming members of the machine, pneumatic means for releasably maintaining a strand of plastic gasket material against each of these members. This means which includes the use of suction means has operatively associated therewith a valve, preferably operable by the machine, for alternately releasing suction applied to the feeding and forming members so that the strand of gasket material as it issues from a reel or extrusion head, is initially held against the feeding member until the strand is presented to the forming member, whereupon the suction is released on the feeding member and applied to the forming member to hold the strand as it is Wrapped around the forming member.

A further object consists in the provision of means for spirally wrapping a strand around the forming member to permit a vslight overlap at the ends of the strand so that when the gasket is formed and appliedrto the jar or container cap, its overlapped 'ends will be united to provide a continuous gasket having a leakproof joint.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptiony when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

Referring tothe drawings in which is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved apparatus for forming and applying .gaskets to caps,

Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1 with parts cut away,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure4 is a sectional View taken alongthe xline 4 6, of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially y along the lirle 9--9 of Figure 6,

Figure 10 is a detail view of the vacuum valve casing and its associated parts,

.i Figure 11 is a fragmentary detail of Figure 9 spirally wound strand lpreparatory to its being severed to form the gasket, and

Figure 13 is a detailed perspective view oi' the severed gasket.

My improved machine for forming and applying plastic gasket material to jar caps and the like, includes a revoluble feeding member or roll I8 (Fig. 6), a coacting forming'member or mandrel II, a reciprocating plunger I2 and an index holder I3 operable to feed singly, a cap I4 between the plunger I2 and mandrel II at predetermined intervals during the operation oi the machine so that a gasket formed on the mandrel may be axiahy removed from the mandrel and applied to the cap I4. A base I5 having spaced transversely disposed standards I6 and I1 acts as a support for the various parts of the machine.

Gasket feeding and applying mechanism The strand of plastic material I8 may be of any suitable cross-section as it issues' from a reel or extrusion head (not shown), so as to be presented by the feeder I8 to the mandrel II where it is formed into a gasket I9 of the desired size and shape, preparatory to being applied to the cap I4.

In order to provide simple, eiilcient and positive means for releasably maintaining the strand I8 against the surfaces of the feed roll I8 and the mandrel II at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine, a pneumatic or vacuumized means is arranged to be operatively associated with the feeding and forming members to hold the strand against the. surfaces of these members at i'ixed intervals and thus dispense with the use of complicated mechanical means for performing this function. As shown, the feed roll I8 is connected to a longitudinally disposed operating shaft 28 by the threaded bolts 2I and is provided with a radial port 22 which communicates with an axially disposed port or chamber 23 in the shaft 28. The mandrel II is likewise formed with a radial port 24 in communication with an axial port 25 in the drive shaft 26. The ports 23 and 25 communicate through the flexible members or connections 21 and 28 with a vacuum valve casing 29 so as to selectively control the suction produced at the outer surfaces of lthe feed roll I8 and mandrel II. Any suitable means may be provided to insure the constant communication of the flexible members 21 and 28 with the ports in the shafts 28 and 26 and, as shown, this may be effected by a coupling 38 which is clamped to the shaft 28 by the sections 3I and 32 gagement with complementary flat surfaces on the section members 35 and 36 which are suitably secured to the mandrel shaft 26 for the purpose which will subsequently be described. The members 35 and 36 are recessed to receive a bushing 31 which carries the spaced packing rings 38 and has an inwardly projecting portion4 39 extending into a recess 48 in the outer surface of the shaft 26 to maintain the members 35 and 36 in fixed position thereon and prevent the releasing or diminishing of the vacuum from the coupling. The axial port 25 communicates with a series of radially spaced openings 4I which in turn communicate with the flexible member 28 to provide a constant communication of the exible member with the port 25. The -section 3i is similarly connected to the shaft 28 tocommunicate the flexible member 21 through radial openings with the port 23.

Positioned within the casing 29 (Fig. 10) are a pair of spaced alternately operable valves 42, the stems 43 and 44 of which, extend from one side 'of the casing and engage the opposite ends of a lever 45 plvotally connected as at 46 to the casing. An arm 41 projects laterally from the lever and carries a roller 48 which contacts with a cam 49 keyed to the feed roll shaft 28 so as to actuate the lever 45 against the tension of a spring 58 connected to the upper end of the lever and an arm I6' which extends laterally from the standard I6. It will be seen that when the roller 48 is out of engagement with the raised portion of the cam 49, the stem 44 is moved to its outermost position to cut oif communication of the pipe 21 with the vacuum valve casing 29. The oppositeend of the lever 45, howeverwill then be brought into engagement with the stem 43 which opens its valve 42 to communicate the flexible member 28 with the conduit 5I which communicates with a vacuum pump or the like, not shown. Conversely, when the raised portion of the cam 49 engages the roller 48, the valve stem 43 will be moved outwardly by the action of the spring 52 to vclose communication of the vacuum with the member 28. Simultaneously with this movement, the valve stem 44 is moved inwardly, causing the opening of its valve and the communication of the member 21 through the passage 53 with the vacuum supply pipe 5I. Thus, the rotation of the feed roll shaft 28 is utilized to control the release and application of the vacuum to the feeding and forming members at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine. The casing 29 may be connected to the standard I6 by the bolt 54.

A sleeve 55 (Fig. 6) surrounds the mandrel II and normally is spaced inwardly from one end thereof to act as a guide or stop for the strand as the latter is initially fed to the mandrel from the feed roll I8. After the strand has lbeen Wrapped around the mandrel, the sleeve is operable to remove the preformed gasket and apply it to the cap. In order to provide a slight overlap at the ends of the strand so that when the preformed gasket I9 is applied to the jar or can top it will provide a leakproof joint, the mandrel II during its initial rotative movement is ad vanced longitudinally or axially relative to the sleeve with the result that the strand is spirally wrapped around the mandrel during the rotation of the mandrel through one revolution. 'I'his axial movement is imparted to the mandrel by a yoke -arm 56 connected to a collar 51 keyed to the shaft 26. The lower end of the arm 56 is pivoted to a bracket 58 as at 59 and is operable in the manner as will be subsequently described.

The standard I1 has connected thereto by the threaded bolts 68, a housing or bearing member 6I which supports the mandrel II and sleeve 55 (Fig. 6). 'I'he housing 6I also acts as a support for the bushing 62 through which revolubly extends the feed roll shaft 28. A fixed cutter 63 is secured as at 64 to the housing 6I and has a cutting edge 65 positioned to sever the preformed gasket from the remaining portion of the strand upon the axial movement of the sleeve 55 relative to the mandrel. This movement is imparted to the sleeve 55 by a yoke arm 66 connected as at 61 to the sleeve and pivoted at its lower end as at 68 to a bracket 69 secured to the base by the bolts 18 (Fig. 4).

'I'he yoke arms 56 and 66 are'each provided with a laterally extending roller 1I (Fig. l) arranged to fit into a complementary cam groove 12 in the spaced cam members 13 and 14 keyed to the shaft 18. The pitch cf the grooves in the cams 13 and 14 is such asto cause the selective reciprocation of the shaft 26 and the sleeve 55 at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine so as to axially move the mandrel relative to the sleeve to spirally wrap the strand onthe mandrel, and subsequently to move the sleeve relative to the mandrel to withdraw the preformed gasket and apply it to the cap in a single and continuous operation. The connection of the .coupling 38 with the feed roll shaft 28 through the clamping sections 3| and 32, permits the free rotation of the shaft 28 in the coupling and the continuous supply of the vacuum from the flexible member 21 to the axial port 23.v At the same time, the engagement of the depending arms 34 with the adjacent nat sides of the sections 35 and 36 prevents the rotation of these sections with the mandrel shaft 26 but permitsthe sections 35 and 36 as well as the flexible member 28 to be moved bodily and axially lwith the shaft 26 during the operation of the machine. The diameter of the feeding member I8 is slightly larger than that wirf the forming member in order that a sum- /cient length of the strand I8 may be spirally wrapped around the forming member during each revolution of these members.

The shaft carries a discr 16 (Fig. 3) having a laterally extending lug or pin 11 arranged to .tlt into spaced radial slots 18 in a Geneva wheel 19 keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft 88. The index holder I3 is secured to the shaft 88 and has a plurality of segmental pockets 8| of suflicient width to receive the caps I4 as these caps are sequentially fed to the index holder through the inclined chute 82, which discharges a cap edgewise into each pocket just before the pocket reaches its uppermost position. The number of slots 18 in the Geneva wheel correspond to the number of c ap receiving pockets 8| so that upon each rotation of the shaft 88, a new cap will be moved into alignment with the mandrel II to receive a preformed gasket. 'I'he shaft 88 extends through the standards I6 and I1 and carries a gear 83 (Fig. 2) which through an idler 84, drives agear 85 on the mandrel shaft 26.

The outer end of the mandrel II has a recess or socket 86 (Fig. 6) in which is slidably mounted an ejector 81 by the retaining pins 88. Coiled springs 89 normally urge the ejector to a position in advance or out of the socket 86 for withdrawing or returning the cap to its pocket after a y gasket has been applied to the cap.

Driving mechanism nected as to be operable in timed relation with respect to each other from a single source of power such as the motor 98 mounted on the base or bed I5. The motor shaft 9| has a pinion 92 in mesh with a gear 93 keyed to the shaft 94 carried by a bracket 95 and the standard I6. The opposite end cf the shaft 94 has a gear 96 in mesh with an idler 91 which'in turn drives a, gear 98 on the shaft 15. l

The shaft 15 is constantly rotated and makes one revolution for each revolution of the mandrel II and the feeder I8. A shaft 99 is connected through the gears |88 and |8I with the shaft 15 so' as to be continuously operable by the latter. It will be seen that the actuation of the shaft 15 also operatesthe indexy holder I3 and the shaft 88 through the medium of the disc 16 and its operative connection with the Geneva wheel 19.

The feed roller shaft 28 has a gear |82 in mesh with a gear |83 on the shaft 26 to simultaneously rotate the feed roll I8 and the mandrel II in opposite directions. 'Ihe connection of the Geneva wheel 18 through theshaft 88 and gears 83, 84 and 86 with the mandrel shaft 26 insures the rotation of the mandrel I'I through one revolution in response todthe movement of the index holder being actuated to presenta fresh cap in alignment with the mandrel.` At the same time,

the cam 49 on the feed roll shaft 28 is operated to control the supply of suction applied to the feeding and forming members 4through the valve casing 29. By virtue of this arrangement, intermittent movement of the parts is effected to cause a complete revolution of the feed roll I8 and the mandrel II during each advancing movement of the index holder I3, thus insuring the sequential feeding of the caps and the forming and applying of the gasket in a continuous and automatic operation. The gears 85 and |83 on the shaft 26 are of sufficient length or width Ato maintain this shaft during its axial movement in driving connection with the shafts 28 and 88 respectively.

, The shaft 99 (Fig. l) carries a groove cam |84 for receiving a roller or lug |85 on the lever I 88 which in turn is pivoted as at |81 to a shaft |884 I that extends through a standard |89 and has connected thereto the reciprocating plunger I2. An adjustable support |I8 pivoted at III to the lever |86 is secured by the threaded nuts |I2 to the standard |89 so as to vary the stroke of the plunger I2 in order to bring the cap I4 accurately in position during the operation of the machine. It will be seen that the shaft 99 through the cam |84 and lever |86 imparts a reciproca- Operation The strand I8 of plastic gasket material such f as rawrubber or the like, as it issues from the forming machine (not shown) is preferably of a rectangular shape so as to be of comparatively wide area and covers the radial port hole 22 of the feed roll I8, thus insuring the strand being firmly held against the surface of the roll when suction is applied thereto. The valve controlling the vacuum supply to the feed roll I8 and mandrel II are so timed that as the strand is ad- Vanced toward the feed roll, the end thereof will be held against theA feed roll bythe suction or negative pressure created in the port 22. Rotary movement is imparted to the feed roll -I8 and mandrel II throughthe shaft 15, Geneva wheel 19, shaft 88 and the gears 83, 84 and 85 which connect'the shaft 88 with the mandrel shaft 26. The shaft 28 is driven by the shaft 26 through the gears |82 and |83 so as to rotate sirnultaneously in an opposite direction. At the same time, rotative movement is imparted to the cams 13 and 14 on the shaft 15 which causes the timed actuation of the yoke arms 56 and 66 so that upon the initial rotation of mandrel I I, the shaft 26 and its supply member 28 will be advanced axially by the operation of the cam 14 to spirally wrap the strand 'around the mandrel and retain the end o! the strand against the mandrel during its rotative movement. When the mandrel II m es one revolution, it is brought into einn gagement with the cap or disc I4 which in the meantime has been moved to the position as 4shown in Figure 7, by the actuation of the plunger I2 having been moved by the shaft |08 and its connection with the shaft 88 to present a cap I4 in axial alignment withthe mandrel II. The radial ports 22 and 24 in the feed roll I0 and mandrel II respectively, are so positioned relatively to each other that they will be substantially in vertical alignment when the end of the strand is carried by the feed roll I'Il to engage the periphery of the mandrelnII. As the -ducts 22 and 24 reach a point slightly beyond their vertically aligned positions. the vacuum valves 42 are operated through the lever 45 and cam 49 on the shaft 20 to release the vacuum in the port 22 and create a vacuum in the port 24, thus transferring the end of the strand from the feed roll I to the mandrel II. The vacuum is retained in the port 24 until the strand is wrapped once around the mandrel whereupon the suction is released and applied to the surface of the feed roll I8. It will be apparent that the application and release of the vacuum on the surfaces of the feeding and forming members automatically takes place at timed intervals during the operation of the machine. Moreover, mandrel II, during its rotative movement is also moved axially through the instrumentality of the cam I4 and the yoke arm 58 to spirally wrap the strand on the mandrel without affecting the supply of vacuum thereto. The pitch of the cam 14 is such that when the mandrel is brought into abutting engagement with the cap I4 the movement of the mandrel and its associated parts is temporarily stopped. Simultaneously, with the stopping of the mandrel, the sleeve 55 is actuated through the cam 'I3 and yoke lever 66 so as to axially withdraw the preformed gasket I9 from the mandrel and apply it to the cap I4.

When the end of the strand I9 is advanced by the feed roll I0 to engage the mandrel II, the parts of the apparatus will be in the.position as shown in Figure 6 with the strand between the end o f the sleeve 55 and the cutter 63. As the mandrel continues to rotate, it is moved axially relative to the sleeve 55 by the cam I4 and the yoke arm 58 so as to cause the end portion of the strand to be spirally wrapped around the mandrel and assume the shape as shown in Fig- 'ure 7. During this movement, the end of the strand is carried to the opposite side and out of the path of the cutter 63 while that portion of the strand adjacent the cutter is moved past or through the cutting edge 65 (Fig. l1) to sever the preformed gasket I9 from. the remaining portion of the strand by an inclined or tapered cut II6 which extends longitudinally of the length of the strand. In the meantime, the rotative movement of the mandrel II and roll II! have been arrested I by the stopping of the Geneva wheel shaft 80 to axial movement of the mandrel, has been moved into its socket against the tension of the spring 88.k Consequently, when the plunger I2 is with drawn the spring 88. will cause the elector 81 to be moved outwardly, thus returning the cap to its aligned pocket from where it is subsequently discharged upon the further rotation of the index holder.

As shown, the Geneva wheel 18 moves through an angle of 60 to position the succeeding cap carried by the dindex holder I8 in registration with the plunger I2 during each cycle of the operation of the machine. The shafts 2l and 28v together with their associated parts are returned to their normal positions b y the cams 12 and 'I4 on the shaft l after each gasket is applied toits aligned dap and upon the cap being withdrawn from the holder I8, the latter is moved to present the next cap in registration with the plunger I2. At the end of each cycle of operation, the parts are in the position shown in Figure 9 so that upon the subsequent operation of the machine to form and apply a gasket to a cap, the holder I8 is moved in registration with the plunger I2, and at the same time, the shafts 2l and 28 carrying/tm. feeder I8 and mandrel II respectively, are rotated through their connections with the Geneva wheel to feed and wrap the strand around the mandrel. The cam 49 on the shaft 28 is likewise rotated and as the ports 22 and 24 approach each other, the raised portion of the cam is brought into engagement with the roller 48 on the lever 45 whereupon the suction is released from the port 24 and applied to the port 22 so that the end of the strand I8 is carried by the member I8 into peripheral engagement with the mandrel II and when the ports 22 and 24 have passed slightly beyond their yvertically aligned positions, the raised portion of the cam 49 moves out of engagement with the roller 48, with the result that the suction is transferred to the port 24 and released from the port 22. The end portion of the strand is held on the mandrel I I until the ports 22 and 24 again assume the position as shown in Figure 9, whereupon the feeder I0 and mandrel II are temporarily stopped through their connection with the Geneva wheel vI8 and the preformed gasket is severed by the cutter 63 and applied to the aligned cap by the axial movement of the sleeve 55, thus providing means for continuously forming and applying the gaskets singly to a cap during the operation of the machine. When the preformed gasket I9 is severed from the strand by the cutter 63 and applied to the cap, the remaining end portion of the flexible strand adjacent to the cutter is not ap- .i

preciably moved by the sleeve, since it engages the side of the cutter, and is of sufficient width also to cover the opening 22, so that it isat all times properly positioned to be moved into engagement with the mandrel upon the application of suction to the rotary feeder I0.

As the strand is of plastic material, it is desirable to have it of rectangular shape at the time it is fed to the roll I0 and presented to the mandrel II so as to provide a. comparatively wide area to insure it being firmly but releasably held against the surfaces of the feeding and forming members. However, when the preformed gasket is applied to the cap, it will be readily apparent that due to its plasticity, it can be quickly transformed by the application of pressure into a shape of comparatively wide surface and thin cross section so as to accommodate itself to the desired shape and completely fill the annular receiving groove in the cap I4 or other contiguous surface.

the cutter 63 forms the opposed edges of thegasket -with the inclined tapered surfaces III ar-` ranged to overlap and be united by the sleeve 55 when the latter presses the gasket against the cap Il, thus forming a continuous smooth flat gasket structure having a leakproof joint.

As the shafts l and 99 are continuously operated through the driveshaft 94, it will be seen that as soon as one gasket is applied to the cap, another cap is automatically moved into position so that the forming and applying operations continue uninterruptedly until the machine is stopped.

It will be understood that the form of the inyvention herewith shown and described is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment, and that such changes may be made as fall within the purview of one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine of'the class described including a forming member, a feed member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, means for rotating said members, each of said members having radial ports, vacuumized means communicating with said ports for applying suction to the surface of said members, means for controlling the vacuum to the members, means for moving the forming member axially to spirally wrap the ystrand thereon, and a coupling connectingthe vacuum to said'members whereby to permit the uninterrupted supply of the vacuum to the forming member during the axial movement thereof.

2. A machine of the class described including a forming member, a feed member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, means for rotating said members, each of said members having radial ports, vacuum means communicating with said ports for applying a vacuum to the surface of said members, means for controlling the vacuum to the members,

means for moving the forming member axially to spirally wrap the strand thereon, and a coupling connecting the vacuum to said members, said coupling including a movable portion for effecting a continuous supply of the vacuum to the-.forming member duringthe axial movement of the latter. l

3. A machine of the class described including a mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel, means for feeding a strand of material to the mandrel, suction means associated with the surface of said mandrel to maintain the strand in engagement therewith, means for moving the .mandrel axially to spirally Wrap the strand thereon, and means for maintaining the suction at the surface of the mandrel during the axial movement of the latter.

vspirally wrap the strand thereon, -'and means for releasing the vacuum upon the completion of r ,one revolution of the mandrel.

suction means for holding the strand against the mandrel during the rotation of the latter, means for releasing the suction upon the completion of one revolution of the mandrel, and means for severing the preformed' gasket formed on the mandrel from the remaining portion of the strand. e 6. A machine-of theclass described including a rotatable mandrel, a sleeve lsurrounding said mandrel, means for applying a vacuum to the surface of said mandrel to secure the end vof a strand of gasket material thereto, means for simultaneously imparting .a combined rotary and axial movement to the mandrel to spirally wrap the strand thereon, means when the strand completes one revolution for releasing the vacuum, means for severing the preformed gasket from the remaining portion of the strand, and means for axially moving the sleeve relative to the many drel to withdraw the preformed gasket.

7. A machineof the class described including a rotatable mandrel, a sleeve surrounding said mandrel, means for applying a vacuum to the surface of said mandrel to secure the end of a strand of gasket material thereto, means for simultaneously imparting a combined rotary and axial movement to the mandrel to spirally wrapv the strand thereon, means for effecting a continuous application of the vacuum to the mandrel during the axial movement of the latter, means when the strandvcompletes one revolution for releasing the vacuum, means for severing the preformed gasket from the remaining portion of the strand-and means for axially moving the sleeve relative to the mandrel to withdraw the preformed gasket.

8. A gasket forming and applying machine of -the class described including a rotatable forming' member, a feed member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, suction means associated with the forming member to hold the strand in engagement therewith, means for moving the forming member axially during its rotative movement towrap spirally the strand thereon, means for severing the preformed gasket from the remaining portion of the strand, means to release the suction applied toA` the forming member, a. cap holding means in substantial alignment with the forming member, and means for withdrawing the preformed gasket from the forming member when the suction is released and for applying the gasket to a cap carried by said holding means. v

9. A gasket forming and applying machine of member, a feed member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, suction means operatively connected to one of said members and associated with the forming member to hold the strand in engagement therewith, means for moving the formingv member axially during its rotative movement to wrap spirally the strand thereon, means for releasing the suction applied to the forming member upon the completion of one revolution thereof, means for severing the preformed gasket from the remaining portion of the strand, a 'cap holding means in substantial alignment with the forming member,

and means for withdrawing the preformed gasket from the forming member and for applying it to a cap cafrried by said holding means.

10. A machine of the class described including a rotatable mandrel, a sleeve surrounding said mandrel, means for applying a vacuum to the surface of said mandrel to secure the end of a strand of gasket material thereto, means for simultaneously imparting a combined rotary and axial movement to the mandrel to spirally wrap the strand thereon, means when the strand completes one revolution for releasing the vacuum, means for severing the preformed gasket from the remaining portion of the strand, a cap holding means substantially in alignment. with the mandrel, and means for axially moving the sleeve relative to the mandrel to withdraw the preformed gasket and apply it to a cap carried by said holding means.

11. A machine of the class describedincluding a forming member, a feeding member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, each of said members having a port communicating with its outer surface, means for rotating said members, means for applying suction to the outer surface of said members through said ports,

` and control means associated with each of said ports for alternately releasing and applying suction at the outer surfaces of said members at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine so that the leading end portion of the strand is initially secured to the feeding member by the suction applied to its outer surface, the suction being automatically released from the feeding member and applied to the forming member by the control means upon the leading end portion being presented to the forming member to secure the strand to the latter.

12. A machine of the class described including a forming member, a feeding member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, each of said members having a port communicating with its outer surface, means for rotating said members, means for applying suction to the outer surfaces of said members through said ports, and control means operatively 'connected to one of said members and common to -each of said ports for alternately releasing and applying suction at the outer surface of said members at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine so that the leading end portion of the strand is initially secured to the feeding member by the suction applied to its outer surface, the suction being automatically released from the feeding member and applied to the forming member by the control means upon the leading end portion being presented to the forming member to secure the strand to the latter.

` 13. A machine of the class described including a forming member, a feeding member for advanc- 'ing a strand of material to the forming member,

each of said members having a port communicating with its outer surface, means for rotating said members, means for applying suction to the outer surfaces of said members through said ports,

and control means operatively connected to the feeding member and common to each of said ports for alternately releasing and applying suction at the outer surface of Said members at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine so that the leading end portion of the strand is initially secured to the feeding member by the suction applied to its outer surface', the suction being automatically released from the feeding member and applied to the forming member by the.

control means upon the leading end portion being presented to the forming member to secure the strand to the latter. 'i

14. A machine of the class described including a forming member, a feeding member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, each of said members having a port communicating with its outer surface, means for rotating said members. means for applying suction to the outer surface of said members through said ports, and `control means common to each of said ports for alternately releasing and applying suction at the outer surfaces of said members at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine so that the leading end portion of the strand is initially secured to the feeding member by the suction applied to its outer surface. the suction being automatically released from the feeding member and applied to the forming member by the control-means upon the leading end portion being presented to the forming member to secure the strand to the latter, said control means releasing the suction applied at the outer surface of the forming member upon the completionof one revolution thereof.

15. A machine of the class described including a forming member, a feeding member for advancinga strand of material to the forming member,

each of said members having a port communicating with its outer surface, means for rotating said members, means for applying suction to the outer surface of said members through said ports, valve means for alternately releasing and applying suction at the outer surfaces of said members at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine, and means for operating the valve means whereby the leading end portion of the strand is initially secured to the feeding member by the suction applied to its outer surface, the suction being automatically released from the feeding member and applied to the forming member by the valve means upon the leading end portion being presented to the forming member to secure the strand thereto.

16. A machine of the class described including a forming member, a feeding member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, each of said members having a port communieating with its outer surface, means for rotating said members, means for applying suction to the outer surfaces of said members through said ports, valve means for alternately releasing and applying suction at the outer surface of said members at predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine, and means for operating the valve means so that the leading end portion of the strand is initially secured to the feeding member by the suction applied to its outer surface, the suction being automatically released from the feeding member and applied to the forming member by the valve means upon the leading end portion being presented to the forming member to secure the strand thereto, said valve means releasing the suction applied to the outer surface of the forming member upon the completion of one revolution thereof.

17. A machine of the class described including a forming member, a feeding member for advancing a strand of material to the forming member, each of said members having a port communicating with its outer surface, means for rotating said members, means for applying suction to the outer surfaces of said members through said ports, control means common to each of said ports for alternately releasing and applying suction at the outer surface .of said members at `predetermined intervals during the operation of the machine so that the leading end portion ofthe strand is initially secured to the feeding member by the suction applied to its outer surface, the suction being automatically released from the feeding member and applied to the forming member by the control means upon the leading end portion being presented to thev forming member to secure the strand to the latter and means for moving the forming member axially to wrap spirally the strand thereon.

" GEORGE GOEBEL. 

